BRITISH POLITICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 370, 9 April 1908, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

Resignation of the Premier. Mr Asquith Sent For. London, April 6. A Court circular announces that fhe Right Hon. Sir Henry Camp-bell-Bannerman, Prime Minister, has, on the urgent recommendation of his medical advisers, resigned office. King Edward, in accepting the resignation, intimated that he received it with much regret.

Reuter’s Biarritz correspondent reports that His Majesty’s acceptance of the recommendation was accompanied with expressions ot esteem and of best wishes for Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman’s recovery. Kiuv Edward has summoned the Right Hon. H. H. Asquith, Chancellor of the Exchequer. The resignation of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman caused more regret than surprise in London clubs.

The Daily Mail emphasises Mr Asquith’s moderation, and expects a further purging of the Liberal programme. The Daily Chronicle (Liberal) says that Mr Asquith has immense ability and unswerving devotion to principle. It remains to be seen if he has the art of managing men. The Chronicle adds that, owing largely to Sir Henry CampbellBannerman’s illness, the Government for some little time lately seems to have lost the grip over the country. Mr Asquith will be able, by the infusion of new blood into the Cabinet, to invigorate the party and to win back the nation’s confidence.

The Times forecasts that Mr Lloyd-George (President of the Board of Trade) will be Chancellor of the Exchequer in the new Cabinet. The paper heartily congratulates Mr Asquith on his promotion, aud says that he has discharged the duties of the Premiership this session with remarkable energy aud conspicuous ability under unusual difficulties.

The Daily News (Liberal), after eulogising Mr Asquith's loyalty to the Liberal party, and his great efforts in the cause of free trade, says :—“ He has sometimes failed to awaken that ardent enthusiasm without which reform is impossible. He fights in the cold dry light of intellectual reason. The brusqueuess of his utterances has sometimes offended. He is now summoned to the Premiership at a moment of transcendent interest, when politics are in the meltingpot, and the future of parties and pf causes is more uncertain than ever. The enduring reputation of his statesmanship will depend upon his accurate judgment as to what things are necessary to the country’s welfare, and his courageous and successful determination to realise such things as are realisable in a time of political change.”

The Morning Post expresses sentiments friendly to Mr Asquith’s advent to power.